Propelling mechanism for boats.



J. G. DUGASSOU.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 26, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Fig.1.

min/555:

Q ATTUflNET J. G. DUCASSOU.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS.

ARPLIOATION FILED 1120.20, 1911.

1,034,987, Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

4 SHBETSSHEET 2.

Army 7 J. G. DUGASSOU.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.26,1911.

1,034,987, Patented Aug. 6,1912.

4 BHEETBSHIIET 3.

gig/V6555; WNW NTUF; m BY I i AmmA/Er J. G. DUOASSOU.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.26,1911.

1,034,987, Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

4 SHEBTSSHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH GEORGES DUCASSQU, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETE G.DUCASSOU & COMPAGNIE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS.

Application filed December 26, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be. it known that I, JOSEPH Gnonons DUGASSOU, a citizen of the Republicof France, and residing at Paris, France, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Propelling Mechanism for Boats, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus by means of which it ispossibleto convert immediately into motor-boats any sailing or rowingvessels, vessels generally towed, and

others.

In order to make the explanation as clear as possible, a constructionaccording to this invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the apparatus secured at thestern of a boat. Fig. 2 is a plan of the apparatus, Fig. 3 an end viewand Fig. 4 shows the apparatus turned as will be hereinafter explained.

The device in question comprises four principal parts: The motor a, theframe o. the plunger arm a, the propeller holder block and rudder d.

The motor a which can use any desired fuel or mechanical power, drivesthe horizontal spindle e by means of a clutch f. The spindle e isprovided at its end with a bevel pinion g engaging with the bevel pinionh secured to the end of the vertical spindle i. The other end of thespindle carries the pinion j engaging with the pinion is secured to thehorizontal spindle of the propeller. This pinion can be reduced in itsratio to the desired extent, so as to obtain the best efficiency fromthe propeller. The movement of rotation is thus transmitted from theengine to the propeller.

The tube Z concentric with the spindle 2' passes through the dipping orplunger arm and is secured to the block d. It is provided at its upperend with a pinion m with helical teeth engaging with a worm n.

The latter is controlled by means of a steer Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Aug. '6, 1912.

Serial No. 667,846.

[ion 4 turning to port. The use of the worm it makes the steeringnon-reversible. It pointer 11 arranged in view of the pilot, shows tohim the position of the propeller in the water.

The block (Z which carries the propeller, is provided at one of its endswith a blade playing the part of a rudder, so that the steering of theship is obtained by manipulating the steering wheel of the block, evenwhen the engine or motor is not working. In that case the block .workslike an ordinary rudder.

It will be seen that in this apparatus the propelling action is alwaysexercised in the direction of the rudder for a complete and continuousrevolution of the latter. This device has the advantage of utilizing thetotal force of the motor for propelling in any direction of driving,without modifying the direction of rotation of the propeller. This hasan obvious advantage over any other apparatus in which the direction ofthe ship is obtained by modifying the direction of the axis of rotationof the propeller relatively to theaxis of the ship. In prior devicesthis shifting was only possible in an arc of 180, so that the reversingcould be obtained only by changing the di rection of rotation of thepropeller or by using a reversible propeller. In the apparatus'according to this invention, on the contrary, the axis of rotation ofthe propeller and the rudder which is secured to it, can make a completerevolution of 360 about a vertical axis.

The apparatus described, forming a rigid whole, can be adapted to anydesired hull without modifying the latter in any way. It is secured tothe same in the following manner: At the front portion of the frame I)are secured two tru-nnions r, the bearings s of which are secured to theship. In that way, the whole apparatus can be turned about a horizontalaxis toward the interior of the ship, which enables the arm 0' to beraised out of water either for examining or for exchanging thepropeller, or for preventing it from touching the bottom when passing alock or when landing (Fig. 4). In the working position, the apparatus isfixed by means of two flanges or straps't which enable the frame to bealmost instantaneously secured in horizontal position on the ship, bytightening two bolts.

This device makes the up-keep of the apparatus very simple, as it is notnecessary to take anything to pieces for examining or re pairing thesubmerged portions. It makes possible motor boat navigation in waterwhere grass would make impossible the use of a propeller that could notbe easily exam ined, and in rivers of small depth where it is necessaryto pass sand banks and rapids without touching the ground.

I claim 1. In combination, a boat, a propelling mechanism thereforcomprising an arm extending downwardly at the rear of the boat, apropeller block immersed in the water and rotatably connected to saidarm and having a rudder portion, a propeller wheel carried by saidblock,connections for driving said propeller wheel, and means for adjustingthe propeller block throughout a complete revolution of 360 degrees,substantially as de scribed. is,

2. In combination, a boat, a propelling mechanism therefor comprising anarm extending downwardly at the rear of the boat, a propeller blockimmersed in the water and rotatively connected with said arm and havinga rudder portion, and means for adjusting said block throughout acompleterevolution of 360 degrees, substantially as described.

3. In combination, a boat, an angular frame pivoted on the boat to swingabout a horizontal axis, said frame having a horizontal'portion and amotor thereon and a vertical and downwardly extending portion, apropeller and rudder carriedby the vertical portion and held immersed inthe water, horizontal and vertical shafting connecting the motor andropeller, and means on the horizontalportion of the frame for adjustingthe propeller and rudder throughout a complete revolution of 360degrees, substantially as described.

4:. In combination, a boat, a frame mount ed to swing about a horizontalaxis and having a horizontal portion extending rearwardly over the topof the boat and a vertical portion extending downwardly at the rear ofthe boat, means for locking the frame in a normal position, a blockcarried by the vertical portion part of the-frame and having a rudderportion and held immersed in the water, a motor on the horizontalportion of the frame, a propeller carried by said block, horizontal andvertical shafting connecting the motor with the propeller, andhorizontal and vertical adjusting means for turning the propeller blockthroughout a revolution of 360 degrees, substantially as described.

5. In combination, a boat, a frame mounted on the boat and having an armportion immersed in the water, a block rotatively and reversibly mountedon said arm portion, and a rudder and propeller on said block, means foroperating the propeller, and means for turning or reversing the block tosteer and propel the boat in any direction, substantially as described.

' 6. In combination, a boat, a propeller and rudder, a frame suspendingthe propeller and rudder on the boat, means for operating the propeller,and means for chan ing the position of the rudder and prope er withrespect to the boat to propel and steer the same in any direction,substantially as described.

7. In combination, a boat, a propeller and rudder in fixed relation withrespect to each other, a frame suspending the propeller and rudder onthe boat, means for operating the propeller, and means for changing theposition of the rudder and propeller with respect to the boat'to propeland steer the same in any direction, substantially as described. g

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribf ing Witnesses. JOSEPH GEORGES DUCASSOU. Witnesses:

EMILE LEDRET,

H. C. COKE.

